Chapter 190: Transformation
After a heart-to-heart conversation, Commander Gao bid farewell and departed.
Pei Qinghe personally saw off Commander Gao. Alone in the room, her smile gradually faded.
Commander Gao was not speaking without aim. These words today must all come from Emperor Jian’an’s instructions. Emperor Jian’an wanted both her troops to fight and her person.
What a beautiful thought—why not ascend to heaven?
Although she had handled it, Pei Qinghe felt a stifled anger in her heart. Such a secret was inconvenient to tell Shi Yan in detail, and she could not tell Reckless Pei Yan either. Otherwise, with Pei Yan’s temper, she would definitely clench her fist and go beat up Commander Gao.
Knock knock knock!
Pei Qinghe got up to open the door. It was Mao Hongling who had come.
“Second Sister-in-law, you came at the right time.” Pei Qinghe vented in a low voice.
Mao Hongling listened with rising fury: “Back then, the Pei Clan was raided and beheaded because of the Eastern Palace. The entire family, old and young, was exiled. The Prince gives some silver and sends a few guards, and that’s supposed to be boundless kindness?”
“You toiled for several years and established the Pei Family Army. The Son of Heaven didn’t provide a single tael of military expenses, so what right does he have to demand the Pei Family Army’s loyalty?”
“Wants this and that and more! Bah! Shameless!”
Pei Qinghe felt relieved hearing this: “Indeed, utterly shameless! With one imperial decree and a frivolous military general’s official position, he wants me to risk my life. What a beautiful thought.”
“It’s not yet time to break ties, so first muddle through it. When the Pei Family Army grows stronger in the future with sufficient strength… hmph!”
All the unspoken words were contained in this cold snort.
Mao Hongling poured a bowl of tea for Pei Qinghe, who drank it all in one gulp, her heart’s anger slightly easing.
“No wonder you haven’t gone to the Shi Family to propose marriage.” Mao Hongling also reacted, saying in a low voice: “Men’s hearts are narrow-minded. Once you and Shi Yan have an engagement, the Son of Heaven won’t be happy and who knows what he might do.”
“Great-Great-Aunt and Grandmother and the others are all in Bohai Commandery, so we can’t break ties. For now, we can only delay.”
Pei Qinghe nodded slightly: “Shi Yan knows the priorities and has no complaints.”
Mao Hongling suddenly chuckled lightly: “Pei Clan women all marry men into the family. Not only do people not dare to mock or ridicule, they eagerly send their young and handsome nephews and younger generation to the Pei Family Army. Who could have imagined such a day a few years ago.”
Pei Qinghe relaxed her brows and smiled as she asked: “Do you like this situation?”
Mao Hongling nodded without hesitation: “Of course I like it. Our desperate efforts have finally let us live the good life that only men could have.”
The aunt and sister-in-law looked at each other and smiled.
Pei Qinghe casually smiled and said: “Little Doggy is growing day by day. If you have a man you like, just bring him into the family. Look at Sister-in-law Shulan and Sister-in-law Zhou and the others—aren’t they living well?”
Mao Hongling nodded subconsciously: “When I find someone I like, I’ll tell you.”
As soon as she said this, Mao Hongling herself was a bit stunned and couldn’t help sighing: “Back then, I wanted to hang myself and reunite with your Second Brother in the Yellow Springs.”
“You saved me and scolded me awake. For my son, I survived.”
“I still love Little Doggy very much and haven’t forgotten your Second Brother. But somehow, I started having thoughts of marrying a man into the family.”
She had secretly vowed to observe chastity for her deceased husband for life. In just a few short years, her thoughts had changed, which made her feel somewhat ashamed.
Pei Qinghe held Mao Hongling’s hand and said solemnly: “People should look forward and move forward. You’ve been widowed for your Second Brother for four years; it’s time to let go.”
Tears flashed in Mao Hongling’s eyes, and she choked up a bit: “Qinghe, can I really let go?”
“Of course you can.” Pei Qinghe gripped Mao Hongling’s hand tightly: “The hardships are all in the past. From now on, we live for ourselves.”
Tears slid from Mao Hongling’s eyes, but the corners of her mouth lifted, and she nodded vigorously: “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”
Thump thump thump!
The rude knocking was accompanied by Pei Yan’s loud voice: “Dinner time!”
Pei Qinghe smiled and responded. Mao Hongling wiped her tears with her sleeve and went out with Pei Qinghe.
The sun was setting in the west, with red clouds filling the sky, like gorgeous silk or a spilled palette.
Pei Yan muttered: “What secrets were you two whispering about behind my back?”
Pei Qinghe replied seriously: “Second Sister-in-law and I were discussing picking an auspicious day soon for you to marry Yang Huai into the family.”
Pei Yan immediately bolted like greased lightning, faster than a rabbit.
Mao Hongling was amused and laughed nonstop: “She can’t stand hearing the word marriage right now.”
Pei Qinghe grinned: “She’ll get used to it if she hears it more.”
……
Two days later, Commander Gao and his group set off.
Pei Qinghe had them prepare dry rations for the journey and gifted several cases of gold, silver, and jade ware: “Please present these to the Emperor on behalf of Commander Gao, and say it’s the Pei Clan’s heartfelt intention, asking the Emperor to accept them graciously.”
“The Pei Clan’s elders are all in Bohai Commandery, so please look after them in the future, Commander Gao.”
The softer the mouth from eating one’s food, the shorter the hands from taking one’s goods.
Commander Gao smilingly agreed to each one.
Jizhou and Youzhou bordered each other. A group flying the Imperial Guards banner had bandits and refugees giving them a wide berth along the way. Occasionally, bold refugees dared to rush over, only to be unceremoniously driven away or slain on the spot by Commander Gao’s group.
Half a month later, Commander Gao returned to Bohai Commandery.
Emperor Jian’an was originally in deliberation with all officials when he learned Commander Gao had returned. His thoughts wavered, and he soon dismissed the officials and urgently summoned Commander Gao.
“When you read the imperial decree, what was Sixth Sister Pei’s reaction?” The nineteen-year-old Son of Heaven was at this moment just like an ordinary young man, his eyes flickering with anticipation.
Commander Gao answered truthfully: “Sixth Sister Pei was very joyful. After receiving the decree, she bowed toward the Imperial Palace in thanks for the grace.”
Officials deeply receiving imperial grace ought to thank heaven’s kindness; it was nothing unusual.
Yet Emperor Jian’an savored a special pleasure from this ordinary action, a smile blooming in his eyes: “Good, as long as she’s happy.”
He then carefully asked about the Pei Family Army’s situation.
Commander Gao recounted everything he had seen: “…The Pei Family Army trains daily, with strict discipline—truly elite soldiers.”
“Sixth Sister Pei… no, it should be General Pei. She has great prestige in the Pei Family Army. Everyone worships and reveres her.”
A long-forgotten girl’s face flashed in Emperor Jian’an’s mind, and he suddenly sighed softly: “It’s been over four years since we parted that day. I’ve almost forgotten what she looks like.”
Commander Gao thought, who are you fooling! Isn’t that portrait of the girl hidden in the secret study room one you personally painted, Your Majesty?
“Gao Yong, has she changed in appearance now?”
Commander Gao came back to his senses and answered softly: “General Pei is seventeen this year, full of vigor and striking in presence.” Then he called in a person.
This was a painter disguised as an Imperial Guard traveling along. After several days in the Pei Family Army, he had quietly painted a portrait of Pei Qinghe.
The scroll painting was presented to Emperor Jian’an’s side.
Emperor Jian’an’s hands trembled slightly. He steadied his mind and unrolled the scroll painting.
